Jan. 1 -- The Nourish New York program has now distributed 100 million meals to families across the state.

According to a news release from Hochul's office, the initiative, which was launched as an emergency relief program during the COVID-19 pandemic, connects families in need across the state with surplus agricultural products grown by New York farmers. Hochul codified the program into state law in November 2021. "This milestone comes amid the holiday season, reaffirming New York's commitment to providing support to those facing food insecurity across the state," the release stated.

This week, Hochul also signed legislation to clarify that whole milk, two percent fat milk, and other milk products are eligible for the program.

"Over the last four years, the impact of Nourish New York has skyrocketed, distributing more than 100 million meals to those facing food insecurity while also supporting New York's farms," Hochul said. "There's no better time to share this incredible milestone and reaffirm my commitment to providing critical support to those in need than during the holiday season, and I look forward to seeing even more New Yorkers benefit from this critical initiative in the years to come."

The Nourish New York initiative reroutes New York's surplus agricultural products to the state's food banks. The program "also provided much-needed support for the food producers and farmers who lost markets due to the pandemic by allowing the state's food banks to buy agricultural products directly from New York farmers and food processors," the release stated. The program provides the funding directly to the state's emergency food providers to help them buy surplus products from the state's farmers and producers and distribute them to New York consumers at drive-through food distributions, and through food box and school meal programs.

Since the program's launch in May 2020, more than $175 million has been committed to Nourish NY. Through nine rounds of the program, New York's food banks have purchased more than 118 million pounds of New York food products, "which equates to over 100 million meals distributed to families in need and positively impacting 4,472 farms and agribusinesses across the state, many of which lost markets for their products during the pandemic," the release stated.

State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball added, "The Nourish NY program was created to serve as a critical pipeline getting food from our farms to people in need during the pandemic through our network of emergency food providers. Since it launched, it has continued to be a resounding success and just goes to show how big of an impact we can make when we all work together."